Home > Articles > Top 5 Website Builders With Code Editing In 2024

Top 5 Website Builders With Code Editing In 2024

January 10, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

website builder with code
website builder with code
Key Takeaways
Top 5 Website Builders With Code Editing include:

Explore our guide on the Top 5 Website Builders with Code Editing in 2024, tailored for those who seek a blend of simplicity and customization. This overview presents platforms that offer user-friendly interfaces and code editing flexibility, meeting diverse web development needs.

Top 5 Code Website Builders In 2024

Shopify

Shopify
Shopify

Highlights

  • Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Shopify’s intuitive builder allows effortless customization, empowering users to tweak HTML and CSS without extensive coding knowledge.
  • Code Editor Feature: For tech-savvy users, Shopify’s code editor provides advanced customization, allowing code modification within the theme’s directory.
Shopify’s Code Editor Interface

  • Comprehensive Solution: Tailored for beginners and customization enthusiasts, Shopify’s user-friendly interface and robust code editor cater to diverse needs in creating and managing online stores.
  • Mobile-Friendly Experience: Shopify ensures seamless access and visual appeal across various devices in this mobile-centric era.
  • SEO and Marketing Empowerment: Boost traffic and sales with Shopify’s integrated SEO and marketing tools, optimizing stores for search engines and effective product promotion.

Pros

  • Intuitive website builder
  • Seamless code integration
  • Robust e-commerce features
  • Diverse design templates
  • Efficient order management
  • Reliable customer support
  • Extensive App Marketplace

Cons

  • Limited design flexibility
  • The learning curve for advanced customization
  • Transaction fees on external payment gateways

The Verdict

  • Entrepreneurs: Perfect for small to medium-sized businesses and startups.
  • E-commerce Enthusiasts: Individuals passionate about selling products online.
  • Beginners: Easy-to-use interface for those new to website building.
  • Coding Aficionados: Appeals to tech-savvy users with the option for custom code.
  • Diverse Industries: Ideal for various sectors, from fashion to electronics.
  • Scalability Seekers: Grows seamlessly with your business needs.
  • Mobile Users: Responsive design ensures a smooth experience on any device.

Hostinger 

Hostinger 

Highlights

  • Intuitive Visual Editor: Build landing pages, personal portfolios, or mobile-friendly eCommerce websites effortlessly with pre-designed templates.
  • Code Customization: Tailor your website further using code suitable for technically adept users seeking advanced customization.
  • Embed Code Feature: Easily add third-party elements, features, and integrations for a unique and feature-rich website. Accessible through the site editor’s side panel.
Hostinger Website Builder Editor with Embed Code Option Highlighted
Hostinger Website Builder Editor with Embed Code Option Highlighted

  • Element Control: Gain more control over custom elements by duplicating, changing visibility, or resizing components according to your preference.
  • Custom CSS Integration: Enhance your site’s appearance by adding custom CSS to the part of your website’s code.
  • Advanced AI Tools: Benefit from AI-driven capabilities that streamline website development and enhance user experience.
  • Scalability Options: Easily upgrade to higher plans like cloud hosting as your site grows, ensuring seamless handling of increased traffic.

Pros

  • Intuitive Website Builder Interface
  • Robust Code Integration Capabilities
  • Affordable Hosting Plans
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • Quick Loading Speeds
  • Reliable Uptime
  • User-Friendly Control Panel

Cons

  • Limited Advanced Customization Options
  • Template Customization Constraints

The Verdict

  • Aspiring Developers: Ideal for those keen on crafting websites with code.
  • Small Businesses: Perfect for businesses seeking a user-friendly website builder.
  • Tech Enthusiasts: A go-to choice for those with a penchant for web development.
  • Budget-conscious Individuals: An affordable solution for personal website creation.
  • Freelancers: Well-suited for independent professionals building a solid online presence.

Squarespace

Squarespace

Highlights

  • Versatile Built-in Features: Beyond aesthetics, Squarespace includes built-in features for enhanced site functionality, covering e-commerce solutions and blogging tools.
  • Developer Platform: Catering to code enthusiasts, Squarespace provides options to explore the underlying structure of your website.
  • Code Block for Page-Specific Customization: Inject CSS, HTML, and Markdown directly into specific pages for flexible layout and design adjustments.
  • Code Injection for Site-Wide or Page-Specific Impact: Employ code injection to customize the entire site or specific pages, expanding customization possibilities.
  • CSS Editor for Stylistic Precision: Modify fonts, colors, and backgrounds with the CSS editor, granting meticulous control over your website’s visual elements.
Refine styles effortlessly with Squarespace’s CSS Editor

  • Squarespace Developer Platform for Ultimate Customization: Tailored for advanced users, this platform allows HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code editing, enabling custom themes, advanced functionalities, and seamless external service integration.

Pros

  • User-friendly website builder
  • Visually appealing templates
  • Seamless e-commerce integration
  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • Built-in SEO Features
  • Mobile-responsive designs

Cons

  • Limited coding flexibility
  • Advanced customization constraints

The Verdict

  • Entrepreneurs: Ideal for building professional websites without coding hassle.
  • Small Businesses: Easy-to-use platform for creating a polished online presence.
  • Creatives/Artists: Showcase your work effortlessly with Squarespace’s design-focused templates.
  • Bloggers/Content Creators: Intuitive tools for sharing your stories or content.
  • E-commerce: Robust features make it perfect for selling products online.
  • Tech Novices: User-friendly interface, minimal learning curve.
  • Code Enthusiasts: Offers coding options for customization.

WordPress

WordPress

Highlights

  • Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface: Easily add and arrange visual elements with the user-friendly interface of WordPress.
  • Diverse Widget Library: Access a wide range of widgets to enhance your website, offering a variety of elements for a personalized touch.
  • Responsive Design: Create websites that seamlessly adapt to different devices, ensuring a consistent and user-friendly experience on various screen sizes.
  • Code Editing Capabilities: Empower your coding skills with WordPress. Modify your site’s front end effortlessly using custom code through the “Currently Editing Page” option.
Explore Code Editing in WordPress

  • Extensive Resources: Access a wealth of WordPress tutorials, providing essential information to navigate and maximize the potential of this CMS.

Pros

  • Intuitive User Interface
  • Robust Plugin Ecosystem
  • Extensive Theme Library
  • SEO-Friendly Features
  • Regular Updates and Security Measures
  • Seamless Content Management
  • Mobile Responsiveness
  • Integrated Blogging Capabilities

Cons

  • Learning Curve for Beginners
  • Limited Design Flexibility without Coding
  • Potential Performance Issues with Heavy Plugins
  • Security Vulnerabilities 

The Verdict

  • Bloggers: Ideal for seamless content creation and management.
  • Small Businesses: Easy setup, customizable, and cost-effective.
  • Developers: Empowers with code flexibility for advanced customization.
  • Freelancers: User-friendly, allows focus on content over technicalities.
  • Non-Techies: Intuitive interface, minimal learning curve.
  • Anyone Seeking a Website: Versatile, suits various needs without complications.

Webflow

Webflow
Webflow

Highlights

  • Visual Design Interface: Webflow provides an intuitive graphical interface, allowing users to craft their websites effortlessly. This feature-rich builder ensures a smooth design process from layout to typography and animations.
  • Responsive Design: Catering to the modern web, Webflow emphasizes responsive design. Users can create websites that adapt seamlessly to various devices, ensuring an optimal viewing experience for visitors on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Code Editing: Webflow offers access to its code editor for those seeking advanced customization. This feature empowers users to modify the underlying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing fine-tuning to meet specific requirements.
  • Built-in CMS: Webflow goes beyond static websites with its built-in Content Management System (CMS). Users can easily manage dynamic content, ensuring their websites remain fresh and engaging.
  • Hosting and Code Export: Once your masterpiece is ready, Webflow provides flexible options. You can publish your site using Webflow’s hosting or export the code with third-party web hosting services.
Webflow's export code feature
Webflow’s export code feature

Pros

  • Intuitive design interface
  • Robust e-commerce capabilities
  • Seamless integration of custom code
  • Responsive design for various devices
  • Extensive template library
  • Collaborative team features
  • Robust hosting services 
  • SEO-friendly structures

Cons

  • The learning curve for complex projects

The Verdict

  • Web Designers: Ideal for crafting visually stunning and interactive websites.
  • Developers: Perfect for those who prefer control with the option to integrate custom code.
  • Small Businesses: User-friendly for entrepreneurs seeking a professional online presence.
  • Creative Professionals: Graphic designers and artists can showcase portfolios with ease.
  • Collaborative Teams: Facilitates teamwork with its intuitive design and collaborative features.
  • E-commerce Owners: Seamlessly create and manage online stores without coding hassle.

FAQs

A code website builder is your digital playground, blending drag-and-drop ease with manual code finesse. It’s the sweet spot for beginners and pros, offering visual simplicity and coding flexibility – like mastering the art of coding with training wheels.
Code website builders are like digital Swiss Army knives, friendly to both coding newbies and pros. They play well with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing you to customize your site with custom features. It’s a sweet spot for unleashing your creativity while keeping the tech side on point.
Creating a website with a code builder is like artistic collaboration. You design visually, and the builder handles the coding backstage, making web creation a seamless blend of creativity and tech wizardry. Your digital masterpiece was effortlessly brought to life.

Bottom line

These top 5 website builders with code editing features in 2024 promise a seamless blend of user-friendliness and coding freedom. These platforms are ideal choices for those who desire both simplicity in design and the capability for more profound, personalized website development.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.